Christopher D. Kelly ’63

Chris, a parish priest in the Episcopal Church for over 50 years, died of cancer March 15, 2025, at home in West Palm Beach, Fla.

He came to Princeton from Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, N.Y. He majored in Slavic languages and literatures, was executive editor of the Nassau Herald, sang with the Glee Club and Chapel Choir, and took his meals at Cloister Inn.

Chris earned both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Eastern and Slavic languages from Yale, and then taught them as well as medieval Russian art and literature for three years at Boston College.

He began seminary in 1967 while in graduate school and earned a master’s in divinity degree from Episcopal Theological School. In 1972, while in seminary, he met Pamela Caddick, a graduate of the nursing program at Alfred University. “We met in December, were engaged in March, and married in May,” she said. “For 53 years, we had a good life.”

After ordination, Chris served churches in the Diocese of Southeast Florida: Pompano Beach and West Palm Beach. In 2002, he and Pam moved to upstate New York to be closer to family. In 2022, Chris retired as rector of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Cobleskill, and he and Pam returned to West Palm Beach.

Chris is survived by Pam; daughters Heather and Shannon; and two grandchildren.